Drip-cock for locomotive-cylinders



(No Model.)

H. H, RIeeIN. DRIP'COGK FOR LOGOMUTIVE GYLINDEES. No. 410,448. Patented Sept. 3, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY H. RIGGIN, OF VILMINGTON, DELAVARE.

DRlP-COCK FOR LOCOMOTIVE-CYLINDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,448, dated September 3, 1889. Application filed April 11, 1889. Serial No. 306,854. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY H. RIGGIN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at lVilmington, in the county of New Castle and State of Delaware, have invented new and useful Improvements in Drip-Cocks for Locomotive Steam-Cylinders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of devices commonlyknown as waste-cocks"or dripcocks for steam-cylinders, to relieve the latter of the water of condensation accumulating therein. In railway-locomotives apparatus of this character is constantly used; and it is the purpose of my presentinvention to so organize a drip-cock that it shall not only subserve the functions indicated by its name, but shall also serve as an index to the engineer of the condition of the interior packing of the cylinder and piston, enabling him lo determine in an instant whether the packing is sound or tight or so far defective that the engine should be sent t-o the shops for repairs.

It is my further purpose to provide a dripcock for the steam-cylinders of locomotives having increased durability, of great simplicity, an d in which the drip is removed from both ends of the cylindersimultaneously, the waste-cock being provided with two distinct outlets, which are both thrown open in unison.

The invention consists to these ends in the several novel features of construction and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and then definitely pointed out in the claims following this specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central horizontal section of a drip-cock and its immediate connections embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end ele` vation showing t-he waste-cock in place, with an actuating-lever mounted on the valvestem and provided with a stop-pin to control the throw of the lever. Fig. 3 is aportion of a locomotive-cylinder, showing my invention applied thereto.

In the said drawings, the referencemumeral l designates the body or valve-casing of the drip-cock, havingopposite interiorly-threaded wings 2, which receive the ends of the drippipes 3, which enter opposite ends of the steam-cylinder, respectively. The interior of the body l is cut away to form a valve-seat,

which is of slightly less diameter at one end than at the other, the preferred construction being one-sixteenth of an inch to an inch in depth. rlhis valve-seat terminates a little short of the end of the valve-casing l, through which a central opening of any suitable diameter is drilled. Lying upon the valve-seat described is a valve 4f of corresponding form, having at one end. a stem 5, passing through the central opening in the end of the body 1, and receiving two nuts 6 and 7, the one being a draft-nut, by which the valve is held upon its seat with suitable force, and the other a jam-nut to confine the former. Within the body of the valve 4, upon opposite sides of the axial line, are formed two similar passages or channels 8, which may be caused to register at one end with channels 9, communicating with the drip-pipes. Wheny so placed, their other ends will register with channels leading to the outlets. These outlets consist of short nipples 10, projecting from the lower (and relatively to the locomotive the inner) end of the body l. These nipples or outlets are arranged at an angle with the horizontal of from twenty to thirty degrees, or any other suitable angle, giving said nipples a downward and widely-divergent line of discharge. If desired, also, these nipples may be turned slightly inward or toward the locomotive. Upon the inner end of valve 4 is rigidly mounted a depending lever l2, which may be operated from the cab of the locomotive by any suitable means. Projecting from the outer face of this lever is a stop-pin 13, which runs, as the lever swings back and forth, in a segmental recess I4, out in the lower face and at the outer end of the valve-casing 1. At each end of this recess is a shoulder l5, with which the Stop-pin makes contact to limit the throw of the lever 12. It will be noted that the recess 14 extends over ninety degrees of arc, thereby giving one-quarter turn to the valve at each movement to open the drip-cock or to close it.

The construction described is duplicated for the other cylinder, and the drip-cocks are mounted in any suitable manner. Both ends of the steam-cylinder are opened and closed simultaneously by the action of the lever l2, and the water and steam rush through both outlets in unison. By the use of drip-cocks IOO or waste-coeks of my invention upon locomotives not only is the engineer enabled to relieve the cylinders of water of condensation, but also to ascertain the condition of the interlor packing of the cylinder. For example, if the engineer desires to know if his packing is blowing he simply opens the wastecock and gives the-engine steam at either end of the cylinder. If the packing-rings are loose, the steam will leak or blow through to the other end of the cylinder and will issue from boththe outlets at once, instantly establishing the fact that the engine should go to the shop for repairs. If, on the contrary, the packing is in good condition, the discharge will be from each outlet alternately. This feature is of the highest importance in railway economy, and the test is as certain and infallible as the devices are simple. y

It will of course be noted that by employing two distinctly separate outlets, and especially by arranging them at an angle, the engineer is able to readily detect the condition of the cylinder-packing, as the forward or rearward line of discharge is easily distinguished, whereas in a single outlet common toboth, or in the case of two parallel and separate outlets-lying side by side, such distinction is rendered almost, if not Wholly, impracticable.

I employ no spring to hold the valve to its seat, and thus dispense with a source of constant trouble and uncertainty. p By directing the separate outlets downward and slightly inward the waste or drip cock may be used without danger on lines running through or crossing city streets.

Having thus described my invention, wha'tI claim is- 1. In a drip-cock for locomotive steam-cylinders, the combination, with the drip-pipes leading from opposite ends of said cylinders, of a centrally-located drip-cock having two separate and easily-distinguished outlets and avalve by which communication between both drip-pipes and both outlets may be simultaneously made, substantially as described.

2. In a drip-cock for locomotive steam-cylinders, the combination, with the drip-pipes entering opposite ends of thesteam-cylinder, of a drip-cock having two separate and divergent outlets, a valve of slightly-tapering form having a stem passing the bottom of the valvef casing and receiving a draftor set nut and a jam-nut, and means for operating the valve to open the discharge from both ends of the steam-cylinder simultaneously, substantially as described.

3. In a drip-cock for locomotive steam-cylinders, the combination, with the pipes leading from the ends of the steam-cylinder, of a valve having two downwardly-directed outlets, a valve by which both outlets are opened at the same time, and a lever operating the valve and having a stop-pin running in a recess in the valve-casing to control the throw of the lever, substantially as described.

4. In a drip-cock for locomotive steam-cylinders, the combination, with a valve-casing having opposite wings, of pipes tapped into said wings and entering the ends of the steamcylinder, -a tapered valve or plug lying in said casing and having a threaded stem passing through its end, and receiving-nuts, one to set the valve and the other to lock the setnut, a lever mounted upon the valve and provided with a stop-pin running in a way in the i valve-casing, and means for operating said HENRY H. RIGGIN.

lVit-nesses: X

WM. W. PRITCHETT, D. A. DEWEEs. 

